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Abandoned by the authorities, tribesmen and their families in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan are risking their lives to seek refuge in Afghanistan after the Taliban ordered them to leave the region before June 10 so that they are not trapped during a possible military offensive.
"The tribesmen are fleeing to Afghanistan's Khost and Paktika provinces following the directive of the militants. It seems an army operation is imminent," a source told M AIL T ODAY . Till May 31, the number of families that illegally crossed the porous border with Afghanistan stood at 800. Hundreds more are likely to follow them in the coming days.
Authorities of the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas established camps for internally displaced people in North Waziristan. But militants have warned residents against taking shelter at government- run camps.
The warning came last week from none other than Taliban warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur, who was considered to be a pro- government commander.
"The government has decided to launch an offensive shortly. As you all know, the army targets innocent people during an operation and movement during day time may be risky. It is better for all to move to safer places before June 10 to avoid damage," said a pamphlet issued by the Taliban commander's spokesman.
In the pamphlet, Gul Bahadur warned tribesmen against taking refuge in government- run camps. "Don't seek protection in the government- run camps where your honour and lives might be at risk," the pamphlet quoted him as saying.
Recently, the Pakistani Taliban turned down Islamabad's offer for talks, accusing the government of violating a peace agreement the two sides had signed in 2006. In mid- May, the Pakistani military carried out air strikes that targeted mili- tant hideouts in the region.
Since then, the Taliban are up in the arms against the government.
" All mujahideen groups are advised to stop sending their fighters to Afghanistan. Rather, they should call back their men from Afghanistan and make sure they join us before June 10. We need to concentrate all our resources to defend Waziristan," the pamphlet said.he statement from Gul Bahadur has rung alarm bells in Islamabad.
Last week, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the government would negotiate only with those militant groups that stopped fighting the military.
Khan's statement came after the powerful army conveyed to the civilian government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif its opposition to negotiations with terror groups. The army is also reportedly in favour of launching a military offensive in North Waziristan, where it has refused to send troops in the past despite pressure from the US. The News daily recently reported that Pakistan Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif had told Prime Minister Sharif that the time for talks with the Taliban was over.
" We will avenge the blood of every soldier. Talks or no talks, the army will retaliate," the report stated.
Tribesmen and their families in Pakistan's North Waziristan seek refuge in Afghanistan's Khost and Paktika provinces.
Read more at:Taliban orders Pakistan tribals to leave North Waziristan before June 1 : Pakistan, News - India Today
